Comparing Sherem, Nehor, and Korihor

John W. Welch

Because we have mentioned Sherem and Nehor in connection with the foregoing notes on the trial of Korirhor, this is a good point at which to offer a chart (Figure 2) comparing these three cases which involve the most famous Nephite dissenters.

Concerning the similarities, these cases obviously share certain features with each other, as Elder B. H. Roberts drafted in 1922, when he set out to identify the main problems that he thought critics of the Book of Mormon might raise some day. He postulated that the similarities are so strong that one might doubt their historicity.

These three legal cases, however, have much less in common with each other than people might assume based merely on casual familiarity or superficial comparison. The differences are numerous, and they differ from each other widely. Indeed, the facts and legal factors in each of them are case-specific and relevantly distinctive, as one actually finds in real-life legal experience, in which no two court cases are factually or procedurally identical. The salient, distinguishing facts of these cases make the holding and legal importance of each one of them truly unique.

While there are certain obvious similarities, they can be accounted for and can be put into perspective in several ways, but seldom have commentators focused on the numerous differences found in the scriptural reports of these three cases. The similarities are what one would expect to find in any series of such cases coming out of a single culture. Legal cases are, by their very nature, somewhat repetitive and formulaic, yet each case involves particular distinguishing facts. When one reads these cases with sensitivity toward their legal technicalities and jurisprudential principles, these cases are clearly seen to be subtly nuanced, historically plausible, and legally credible, as the accompanying expanded chart illustrates.

Further Reading

John W. Welch, “Comparing Sherem, Nehor, and Korihor,” in The Legal Cases in the Book of Mormon (Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 2007), 301–309.

Three Diverse Nephite Opponents

SHEREM

(Jacob 7:1?25)

NEHOR

(Alma 1:2?15)

KORIHOR

(Alma 30:6?60)

Process and Procedure

Date

c. 500 B.C.

91 B.C., 1 RJ

c. 74 B.C., 18 RJ

Locations involved

Land/City of Nephi

Land/City of Zarahemla, Gideon/Ammonihah?

Zarahemla/Jershon/ Gideon, Antionum (land of the Zoramites, where he dies)

Age of judge or official

Jacob was very old

Alma was about 40?

Alma was about 58?

Judge’s experience

Mainly as the High Priest

First year on the bench (also relatively new High Priest)

Nephihah as Chief Judge for nine years and Alma High Priest for 18 years

Nature of the court

Sherem’s action turned out to be only juridical, not judicial, for his case never went to court and only God was the judge

Nehor was taken immediately to the highest judge, Alma, the Chief Judge, who heard the case alone

Korihor appeared before judges or officials in 3 lands, Jershon, Gideon, and Zarahemla

Court jurisdiction

General justice and temple divination

Under new law of Mosiah for a capital crime

Chief Judge and High Priest both involved

Was arrested?

No

Yes, taken, bound

Yes, bound, sent

Status in legal proceedings

Plaintiff

Defendant, defends himself boldy

Defendant, with counterclaims (accused priests of leading people astray)

Nature of legal action or offense

Falsely accused Jacob of

1) leading into apostasy

2) blasphemy

3) false prophecy

Killed Gideon,

was convicted of enforcing priestcraft with the sword

Reviled against God, accused priests of leading people astray,

committed blasphemy

Attributes of the Opponent

Origin of the accuser (“satan”)

From among the people

Unstated

From outside Zarahemla

“a man”

Yes, Jacob 7:1

Yes, Alma 1:2

Yes, Alma 30:6

Name stated?

7:1, up front

1:15, at very end

30:12, after intro

Called anti-Christ?

No

No

Yes

Sources of power

Speech, flattering with words

Alma 1:3?5, Physical strength, popular support

Logic, practical, politics and theology, the Devil

Number and organization of his followers

Had just begun to declare among the people leading away many hearts

Had a following who believed on his word as the word of God

Was a lone, itinerant sophist, finding success in Zarahemla, but not in Jershon or Gideon

Impact of preaching

Lead away hearts, no actions mentioned

Many believed, gave money

Lead away hearts, many committed sin and whoredoms

Declared that he opposed the ruling establishment?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Arguments and Beliefs of the Opponent

Basic theology

Theist, traditionalist

Theist, universalist

Atheist

Religious tenets

Pro law of Moses

All law was irrelevant

Opposed law of Moses

Political stance

Reactionary, royalist

Populist

Radical

View on priests

They should keep law

They should be paid

They oppress the poor

Complexity and amount of argument

Only three closely related points aimed at Jacob

Developed one alternative doctrine of redemption and universal salvation

Extensive practical, political, theological, and religious arguments

Decried foolishness of leaders and among the people

No

No

Yes

Can anyone know the future?

No

Probably

No

Proceedings

Interrogated?

Asked about his belief in Christ

No (he pleads for himself)

About God’s existence

Accepted scriptures?

Yes, says he does, 7:10, bases his three accusations on provisions in Deut.

Unclear, selectively at best, “redeemed” “end,” redefined word of God

Rejected as foolish, used Deut 24:16 against Alma

Denial of Christ

Evasive

No

Clear

Counterclaims?

No, accepted the outcome

No, but argued in his own defense

Yes, accused leaders and advanced claims

Requested a sign?

Yes

No

Yes

Was warned?

Indirectly

No

Yes

Was the sign-giver hesitant?

Yes, for fear of tempting God

Not applicable

No, better one soul be lost

Reason for sign

To confirm revelation by the Holy Ghost

Not applicable

To confirm the existence of God

What Divine sign was given?

Smitten to the earth, but could still speak

None

Struck dumb, but could still write and walk

Role of devil

Impersonal, deceived by his power

Not mentioned

Personal, visited and taught by devil

Verdict and Aftermath

Was there a judicial verdict?

No

Yes

No

Confession

Sincere, complete

Involuntary. caused

Incomplete

Penalty

Divine justice

Creative definition, capital punishment

Judicial decision, ostracism

Died?

Yes, but naturally despite being nourished for many days

Yes, taken immediately and publicly executed

Yes, but in another city, trampled in an unstated way

Cause of death

Non-human causes, from effects of the sign

Human, legal causes, probably stoning, hanging

Accidental, not related to the sign given

Announcement of Confession

Public confession by Sherem, near death

Ignominious death, was caused to confess, hill top

Result heralded by officials

Reaction of people

Fell to earth, love restored

Priestcrafts continue

End of this problem, many converted, go to Antionum underground

Precedential value of the holding

Legitimized Nephite Christianization of the law of Moses

Gave original jurisdiction to Chief Judge under the new reign of judges

Held that speech acts were still punishable under the law of Mosiah

Historical consequences

Law of Moses was strictly observed in next generations

Nehor’s followers probably join with King-men and go to war

Public criticism curtailed. Dissidents go underground, secret combinations

Place in the record

At the end of Jacob’s book, validating his life work and teaching

At beginning of Alma’s record, setting stage for upcoming problems

Middle of book about Alma and Helaman, a crucial turning point

John W. Welch Notes

References